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Commissioners discuss jail feasibility study and potential bed‑space needs as inmate population nears capacity

5579568 · August 11, 2025
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Summary

Court heard staff and law enforcement that a jail feasibility study and low‑risk facility planning should proceed to inform future capital and bonding decisions; timing and funding remain under review.

Brazos County Commissioners spent part of their Feb. 25 budget workshop discussing a proposed jail feasibility and low‑risk housing study to inform future bed‑space and facility decisions. County staff and law enforcement representatives said the county is nearing capacity at current facilities and that planning now will help inform bond and tax‑rate choices.

Commissioners were told the issue is not a simple operational tweak but a multi‑year capital decision that may require debt financing. One staff member said prior estimates indicated a “massive amount of money” could be required depending on programmatic direction and the court’s preferences.

Law‑enforcement staff described the current arrangement with outside detention partners (ICE holds) and the variability of jail population; staff said the population has been “up and down” and that multiple factors affect occupancy. “As we approach that 90% you were talking about…we think that we need to start planning for it so we can stay ahead of it,” one presenter said.

Commissioners did not approve capital outlay or bonds at the workshop but instructed staff to keep the feasibility work in the proposed budget so the court can amend before adoption. Staff noted the study would inform whether to use bonds, tax‑rate adjustments or phased capital spending and that earlier planning gives the court the “several years in advance warning” needed for large capital projects.

No formal vote was taken; staff will include the feasibility study in the proposed budget and provide details for the court to consider during the normal amendment window.